Rights to Lankan Tamils: DMK for resolution in UNGA

August 21, 2012 17:14 IST

The Dravida Munetra Kazhagam on Tuesday demanded that India should bring a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council for bestowing rights to Sri Lankan Tamils to decide a political solution by themselves, contending that the government there has failed on this account.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, DMK chief M Karunanidhi also asked him to initiate all possible 'diplomatic strategies' to bring other member countries to support the resolution.

He told Singh that these were some of the resolutions that were adopted at the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation Conference in Chennai last week which also criticised the Sri Lankan government for its 'inaction' in providing a political solution.

In the letter handed over to Singh by DMK Parliamentary Party chief T R Baalu and others, Karunanidhi also asked him to grant Indian Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status to all the Sri Lankan refugees living in India.

"A team should be sent to monitor that Rs 500 crore granted by the Indian government as rehabilitation assistance and other material assistances for the Tamils is properly made use of for these works," he said.

The letter also asked India to play its primary role in implementing the solutions including release of imprisoned Tamils, free and safe home coming for the overseas Sri Lankan Tamils and restoring Tamil tradition and culture.

Karunanidhi also demanded that the government take appropriate measures to protect Indian fisherman from the attacks by Sri Lankan Navy by bringing back Kachattheevu under the control of India.

He also said that India should avoid training Sri Lankan defence personnel as requested by the conference.